Sergeant admits molesting boy, 3

An Army sergeant charged with recording herself molesting a 3-year-old boy while at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has pleaded guilty.

In late June, Kimberly Dianne Epperson, 25, admitted producing child pornography with her former boyfriend, Army Sgt. Wade Allen Perkins, 26, whom — court records show — appears ready to admit to his own participation.

Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery set her sentencing for Sept. 13. She faces 15 years to 30 years in prison, and requirements to register as a sex offender.

Epperson gave up another child for adoption in order to keep it from Perkins, who's painted in court records as a self-described “manipulator.”

“She just wanted to make sure the child is safe,” said Epperson's attorney, Don Flanary.

A criminal complaint affidavit said Epperson and Perkins incorporated the assault of the victim child into their sexual activity after they began a romantic relationship in February 2011.

Epperson, of Garland, told agents she got into the activity at the request of Perkins, of Dallas, Ore., who since has married someone else.

The affidavit said Perkins admitted he'd sexually assaulted the boy in August or September 2011 and that he convinced Epperson to produce images of herself performing sex acts with the boy.

She sent them to him via text messages and email, the affidavit said.

The boy since has been placed in protective custody, the affidavit said.

Perkins was transferred to Fort Hood in November 2011. Before reporting there, he took a trip to his hometown in Oregon.

While there in December 2011 and January 2012, the affidavit said, he “instructed Epperson what poses and types of sex acts he desired to be produced and sent, and the images/videos graduated to more graphic acts as time progressed.”

Epperson recorded herself performing sex acts on the boy, and sent the images.

Investigators recovered text messages that confirm Perkins' sexual interest in children and the production, distribution and receipt of child pornography, the affidavit said.

“Perkins advised that he's an excellent 'manipulator' and receives pleasure from such activities,” the FBI said in the affidavit.

Court records show his lawyer is trying to negotiate a plea deal for him.